Gayathri Ramesh

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and microvessel density in oral tumorigenesis

Context: Significant increase in vascularity occurs during the transition from normal oral mucosa, through differing degrees of dysplasia, to invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Aims: To evaluate microvessel density (MVD) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in oral tumorigenesis and correlate it with the clinicopathological characteristics. Settings and Design: VEGF expression and MVD were quantified immunohistochemically using anti-VEGF and anti-CD34 antibody. Materials and Methods: For this study we used a total of 60 archival specimens, including 10 normal oral mucosa (NOM), 7 mild epithelial dysplasia (Mild ED), 8 moderate epithelial dysplasia (Mod ED), 5 severe epithelial dysplasia (SED), 14 well-differentiated SCC, 11 moderately-differentiated SCC, and 5 poorly-differentiated SCC. VEGF expression was assessed in relation to the localization, intensity, and area of the immunohistochemically stained cells. MVD was evaluated using the Image-Pro® Plus software. Statistical Analysis: One-way ANOVA (F test) was carried out for comparing the parameters for multiple groups such as different histopathological grades of dysplasia and carcinoma. Comparison between groups was carried out using the Students ‘t’ test. Correlations between VEGF score and MVD were estimated using the Karl Pearson coefficient of correlation. Results: VEGF and MVD appeared to increase with disease progression and were statistically higher in oral SCC than in epithelial dysplasia and normal buccal mucosa. There was significant correlation between VEGF expression and MVD. Conclusions: These findings indicate that VEGF expression is upregulated during head and neck tumorigenesis.

Experimental Studies on a Propelled Micro Air Vehicle

An experimental study has been carried out on a typical Micro Air Vehicle of span 300mm having inverse Zimmerman planform. The objective is to get i) the aerodynamic characteristics of the vehicle in the range of incidence and sideslip angle the vehicle expected to encounter during its flight; ii) an understanding of the propeller effect on the aerodynamic data and iii) the control surface (elevon) effectiveness with incidence. Tests were carried out in a low speed wind tunnel at a freestream velocity of 8 m/s and 12 m/s corresponding to a test Reynolds number based on chord of about 120000 and 180000 respectively. Analysis of the aerodynamic data showed significant effect of propeller flow field on the lift, stall angle and drag of the vehicle. The propeller induced flow is seen to increase the lift coefficient at higher angle of attack and delay the stall. Nonlinear variation is observed in the rolling moment indicating the onset of asymmetric flow field at higher incidence. The effectiveness of the elevon is observed to increase linearly with incidence.

Visual and Thermal Image Fusion for UAV Based Target Tracking

K. Senthil Kumar1, G. Kavitha2, R. Subramanian3 and G. Ramesh4 1Division of Avionics, Department of Aerospace Engineering, Madras Institute of Technology, Anna University, 2Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Madras Institute of Technology, Anna University 3Division of Avionics, Department of Aerospace Engineering, Madras Institute of Technology, Anna University 4National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) Bangalore, India

Maintaining dental records: Are we ready for forensic needs?

Context: Dental remains are usually the last to get destroyed among body parts after death. They may be useful for personal identification in cases of mass disasters and decomposed unidentified bodies. Dental records may help in the identification of suspects in criminal investigations and in medicolegal cases. Maintenance of dental records is legally mandatory in most of the European and American countries. Unfortunately, the law is not very clear in India, and the awareness is very poor. Aims: To assess the awareness regarding the dental record maintenance among dentists in Rajasthan, to deduce the quality of average dental records kept by them and to evaluate the potential use of their maintained records, in any of forensic or medicolegal cases. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 100 dental practitioners of different cities in Rajasthan, India. Materials and Methods: Data were collected through a structured questionnaire, which was responded by the study population in the course of a telephonic interview. The questionnaire addressed on the mode of maintaining dental records in their regular practice. Statistical Analysis Used: The data so gathered were subjected for descriptive analysis. Results: As for knowledge or awareness about maintaining dental records, surprisingly a very low percentile (about 38%) of surveyed dentists maintained records. Sixty-two percent of the dentists were maintaining no records at all. Conclusion: Nonmaintenance or poor quality of records maintained indicates that the dentists in Rajasthan are not prepared for any kind of forensic and medicolegal need if it arises.

Correlation Between Oral Health and Child-OIDP Index in 12- and 15-Year-Old Children From Modinagar, India

To investigate the relationship between oral health measures and oral health–related quality of life using the Child-Oral Impact on Daily Performance index among school children of Modinagar. A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on 900 school children aged 12 and 15 years in Modinagar, India. Children were interviewed about sociodental impacts on quality of life and examined for their normative treatment need for dental caries, traumatic dental injuries, and dentofacial anomalies. Frequency distributions for bivariate analysis and logistic regression for multivariate analysis were used for statistical analysis. Prevalence of oral impacts was high (60%), with a mean score of 2.49 ± 3.92. A significant association (P ≤ .05) was observed in oral impacts on daily performances with age, presence of dental caries, traumatic injuries, and dentofacial anomalies score. A strong association between clinical dental indicators and oral impacts in children showed eating followed by cleaning of teeth and smiling as the most commonly affected daily performances.

Developmental defects of enamel in children of Davangere District and their relationship to fluoride levels in drinking water.

To assess the prevalence and severity of developmental defects and their relationship to fluoride levels in drinking water. 739 (406 male and 333 female) schoolchildren aged 13 years formed the study population. We used the ion selective electrode method to estimate the fluoride concentration in drinking water. A modified developmental defects of enamel index was used for recording the developmental defects. The Karl Pearson coefficient for correlation and the chi-square test were used for statistical estimation. The fluoride concentration ranged from 0.64 to 2.64 ppm. The prevalence of developmental defects was 88.5%. The most common type of defect was diffuse opacity in 61.2% of the children. There was a significant positive correlation between the type (r = 0.85; P < .001) and extent (r = 0.92; P < .001) of developmental defects in relation to fluoride levels in drinking water. The observed prevalence demonstrates the need to ascertain factors other than fluoride levels in drinking water that could contribute to its occurrence.

Relationship between oral clinical conditions and daily performances among young adults in India – A cross sectional study

Objective of the present study was to investigate relationship between oral health-related quality of life using Oral Impacts on Daily Performances (OIDP) scale and specific clinical dental measures. A cross sectional descriptive survey was conducted among 800 students. Oral health status and impacts were assessed using WHO guidelines and OIDP index respectively. Chi square test and multiple logistic regressions were employed for statistical analysis. Participants with caries were significantly (p ⩽ 0.05) more likely to have an impact on cleaning (OR = 2.487) and sleeping and relaxing (OR = 8.996). Similarly participants with oral mucosal conditions were more likely to have an impact on eating (OR = 3.97), cleaning (OR = 2.966) and physical activities (OR = 11.190). Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI) impacted on cleaning (OR = 2.134), emotional stability (OR = 3.957) and social contact (OR = 3.21). OIDP Index showed acceptable psychometric properties in the context of an oral health survey. Subjects presented a strong and consistent relationship between dental status and perceived impacts.

Impact of fixed orthodontic appliances on quality of life among adolescents’ in India

Context: Malocclusion can seriously impair quality of life and they may affect various aspects of life, including function, appearance, interpersonal relationships and even career opportunities. Objectives: To assess and determine various factors that may influence the impact of orthodontic treatment on the quality of life of adolescents. Study Design: Cross sectional study in adolescents of Moradabad was conducted on 109 males and 113 females (n=222) adolescents having a fixed orthodontic appliance, aged 13 to 22 years (mean 17.5±1.5). A pre-structured questionnaire designed by Mandall et al, with nine conceptual impact sub-scales to highlight the problem faced by the patient in daily life after wearing the appliance was used to collect the data. Unpaired t-test was used to determine the statistical significance and the influence of variables were analysed using multiple linear regression analysis. Results: Factors which demonstrated high impact were oral hygiene (Mean=3.42; SD=0.78) followed by time constraints (Mean=3.23; SD=0.72) and physical impact (Mean=3.00; SD=0.61). Gender difference showed statistical significance in social impact (p=0.009), time constraints (p=0.001) and travel or cost implications (p=0.009). Internal reliability of the questionnaire ranged from low to good (Cronbach’s alpha 0.29-0.81). Test-retest reliability ranged from an intra-class correlation coefficient 0.09-0.42. Conclusions: Patients who had been comprehensively informed about their treatment had greatest levels of satisfaction and compliance with treatment. Younger patients showed an earlier adaptation to treatment with fixed appliances which influenced the treatment to be started at the earliest possible age. Key words:Impact, malocclusion, quality of life.

Assessment of the Periodontal Status among Kota Stone Workers in Jhalawar, India.

CONTEXT Periodontal disease is one of the most prevalent dental diseases which affects the adult population of the world, varying only in degree from mild to severe. Its prevalence, which was reported in various studies which were conducted in different parts of the globe, signifies its need for a control. AIMS To assess the periodontal status among the Kota stone workers in Jhalawar and to provide a baseline data for the planning and evaluation of the oral health care promotion programmes. SETTINGS AND DESIGN A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted among the Kota stone workers who were working in the Kota stone factories which were located in the Ricco Industrial Area in Jhalawar. METHOD AND MATERIALS The study population comprised 420 subjects who were in the age group of 21 to 60 years. The data were collected by means of a close ended, self administered questionnaire and clinical examination with the use of the CPI index. Statistical analyses which were used: Chi-square, Students t-test, One way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and Multiple Logistic Regression. RESULTS The socio-demographic characteristics, except the gender, were found to be significantly associated with the periodontal status in the study population (P≤0.05). Multivariate analysis showed high CPI scores which were associated with males (OR=1.313), the 21-40 year age group (OR=0.548), education upto 10th class (OR=4.776), oral hygiene practices other than toothbrush with toothpaste (OR=0.774) and smoking (OR=3.994). CONCLUSION The observations of this study indicate the need for a reorientation of the dental care services, with further emphasis on the preventive care in such a population.

Estimation of salivary and tongue coating pH on chewing household herbal leaves: A randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to evaluate saliva and tongue coating pH and also to assess the degree of tongue coating in healthy subjects before and after chewing herbal leaves (tulsi, mint, and curry leaf). Materials and Methods: A double-blind, randomized, concurrent, parallel-group study was conducted among 60 volunteer subjects, who were randomly assigned into three groups of 20 each (tulsi, mint, and curry leaf) and were asked to chew five to six fresh leaves of the respective plants twice daily for 7 days. Salivary and tongue coating pH were measured by a digital pH meter and color pH indicators. Data were analyzed statistically using repeated measure analysis of variance and Students t-test. Results: Mean salivary pH values showed an increase immediately and 30 min after chewing the herbal leaves. A significant difference (P < 0.01) was observed between mint and curry leaf groups immediately after chewing and between tulsi and curry leaf groups (P < 0.05) 30 min after chewing the leaves. Tongue coating pH showed an increase toward alkalinity in all the groups. The assessment of tongue coating showed an increase in scores among tulsi and curry leaf groups, but this difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Chewing traditional medicinal plant leaves can be considered as safe, effective, and economical alternate options for maintaining good oral health.